Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics Preview & Picks
Boston are tipped to bounce back from the Game 4 loss and clinch the title.
The Celtics were uncharacteristically bad at both ends of the court in the defeat, and we expect a response.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are unlikely to shoot that badly again, and defensively Boston will be locked in as they try to avoid another trip to Dallas.
- Boston Celtics are on 10-1 in their last 11 games
- Boston Celtics have won 7 of the last 8 meetings with Dallas
- Boston Celtics are 7-2-0 ATS in the last 10 meetings
- The Under has cashed in 6 of the 7 meetings this season
Head To Head
- Boston Celtics lead the all-time series 48-42
- Boston Celtics lead this NBA Finals series 3-1
- Dallas Mavericks won 122-84 when the two teams last met on June 14
Dallas Mavericks Form
Dallas head back to Boston on the back of a victory, but knowing they must win again to extend this NBA Finals series.
The Mavericks lost the first two meetings in Boston, 107-89 and 105-98, and then found themselves on the brink of being swept when they lost 106-99 at home in Game 3.
They rallied in Game 4 though, beating the Celtics 122-84, but they must now win out to be crowned NBA champions.
Dallas, who went 50-32 during the regular season, made a losing start to the postseason as they were beaten on the road by the LA Clippers, 109-97.
The Mavericks bounced back to win four of the next five games however, setting up a series with Oklahoma City in the second round.
They split the first four games of the series with the Thunder, but were able to wrap up a 4-2 win when they followed up a 104-92 win in Oklahoma with a series-clinching 117-116 win at home.
Dallas then made straightforward work of the Western Conference Finals series with Minnesota, defeating the Timberwolves in five games.
The Mavericks won the first three encounters, and then responded to a 105-100 defeat with a 124-103 victory on the road that sealed a 4-1 series win and a place in the NBA Finals.
Boston Celtics Form
Boston return home with another opportunity to clinch the NBA Finals after missing out on the series sweep on Friday night.
The Celtics began the series with 107-89 and 105-98 home wins over Dallas, and then won 106-99 on the road to give themselves the chance to clinch in Dallas.
They passed up on that chance, losing 122-84, but they will now have the chance to do it in front of the home fans in Game 5.
Boston, who put together a league-best 64-18 record during the regular season, split the first two games of their first-round series with Miami, but that Game 2 loss has proven to be a rarity.
The Celtics’ rebounded with a couple of blowout wins over the Heat on the road, and then returned home to wrap up the series with a 118-84 win.
They then split the first two games of the series with Cleveland, but just like in the first round they responded to an early loss with three consecutive victories.
Boston beat the Cavaliers 106-93, 109-102 and 113-98 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they met Indiana.
The Celtics made light work of the Pacers too as they swept them in four games, sealing a place in the NBA Finals with 133-128 (OT), 126-110, 114-111 and 105-102 victories.